Following on from last year's very successful Mucky Runners Fun Obstacle Course this year promises to be better and muckier! Obstacles include log jumps, chicane maze, pond walk, scramble nets, swampsurprise, intricate spiders webs, slides, dark tunnels and much much more! Registration is in the Forest Car Park from 11.30am to 12.30 and the Race starts @ 1pm sharp.Individuals are €20, Groups of 4 are €70 and Juniors are €10 (Juniors 12yrs - 18yrs with parental consent only) There will be prizes for First Places and Medals for all participants including complimentary post race refreshments.

There will also be a challenging Mucky Ducks For Kidz Fun Obstacles Course for 6yrs to 12yrs. Obstacles will include log jumps, slides, scramble nets, tunnels and lotsmore surprises! Entry is €5 and includes free face painting and a lollipop! It will be a great day out in the great outdoors for all the family. There will be an inflatable obstacle bouncy course and castles for children to play on at a small fee. There will also be vendors with yummy offerings including chocolate crepes, hotdogs and popcorn for a well-deserved post race treat!

For all of the details and further information please like and share Mucky Runners Fun Obstacle Course on Facebook.

Portumna Community School
Portumna Community School students’ win distinguished prizes for their writing skills: Isabelle Coughlan and Aileen Salmon were both presented with their prize winning cheques for essays relating to tourist attractions in their local area.

Aileen Salmon completed her essay on Aughrim and the interpretative centre. Aileen concentrated on the battle of Aughrim and how it changed the course of our history. Isabelle Coughlan selected the Hymany Way which is a relatively new trail starting from the Bridge at Portumna and going in a northerly direction along the banks of the Shannon, taking in the sights encountered on the way to Aughrim. Isabelle concentrated on the flora and fauna encountered on the way and the myths associated with some of the trees.

Mr Ray Shanks presented the prizes to the girls. Mrs Fahy organised the competition for the girls and is their English teacher.

South East Galway Archaeological and Historical Society
South East Galway Archaeological and Historical Society lecture by Patrick Larkin entitled “A forgotten Church in East Galway – the Abbey of the Cormicans at Abbeygormacan”. The Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna on Tuesday 28 October at 8.30pm.

Tug of War
The boathouse girls were runners up in the Ballinasloe tug-of-war, beaten in the final by the All Ireland Champions. This was a huge achievement by a group that only got together in July. Stephanie Blake, Elaine Fitzpatrick, Fergal Coughlan, Emer Power and Christina Hoary.Gina Molloy, Kay Hoary, Emer Madden, Sarah Fitzpatrick and Rona Gerathy.

Fundraising in Portumna Forest Park
Portumna's beautiful Forest Park was used as a location by two well-known charities: Jigsaw & Cancer Care West. Both of these organizations operate out of Galway.

Jigsaw Galway is a free, non-judgemental and confidential support service for young people (15-25) living in Galway city and county. They provide guidance and support for young people who are going through a difficult or distressing time. We also provide advice and guidance for anyone is concerned about a young person in their life or work. Jigsaw organized a cycle over two days stopping over in Portumna for refreshments and a few moments to relax. Local musician Brian Horrigan provided music.

On Saturday over 100 walkers turned out in beautiful weather to raise funds for Cancer Care West. This is an annual event organized by John Donnelly, Abbey. Cancer Care West is dedicated to providing support to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis in a safe, nurturing and accessible environment. We aim to provide a holistic service that complements medical treatment through the provision of residential accommodation and support services. Patient support is the central focus of everything we do. Our priorities are to equip all those we meet with the practical and emotional support they need to maintain peace of mind and quality of life. Cancer Care West also provides cancer awareness and educational programmes and supports research into patient care.

Woodford Parish Development Group
Following the recent revival of Woodford Parish Development Group a major clean up of the area was one of the first items on the calendar for the Group scheduled for 11th October. On a beautiful sunny morning more than 50 local volunteers along with Supervisors and workers from Galway Rural Dev Co Ltd, RSS and TUS assembled at Tommy Larkins Clubhouse to begin the mammoth task of tackling the illegal dumping in the area. This dumping of rubbish taking place on some of the most scenic routes in the area caused anger and frustration among the community when the extent of the problem was exposed on Saturday last. Along one particular stretch of road approx one mile in length three trailer loads of rubbish were removed with local volunteers using a digger and 3 tractors to remove the waste dumped in the ditches. Galway Co Co provided the Group with an extra large skip on Saturday to assist the work and will continue to provide ongoing support to monitor illegal dumping in the area in the future.

Woodford Parish Development is planning other initiatives over the coming months including a monthly newsletter with updates/notifications of further events. The Group is overwhelmed by the support from the local volunteers, children, GRD Dev Co Ltd, RSS, TUS and Tommy Larkins GAA Club. This small rural village is the jewel in the crown of South Galway with fabulous scenery, the Millennium Oaks forest, Nature Reserves and a rich history. To all who turned out on Saturday in such numbers Thank You –your pride in the town and parish is critical to sustain our Community.

Fundraising Table Quiz
A Table Quiz will be held in Cannings Bar Gurteeny at 9.30pm this Saturday 25th in aid of Woodford and Shragh Defibrillators. A fun night out for all. Lots of Prizes and a raffle on the night as well. Please support this very worthy local cause.

Portumna GAA Lotto
There was no winner of last week ends lotto jackpot worth €3300. The numbers drawn were 9 17 23 27. One person matched three numbers.

Free Training and Information for Jobseekers
Free Training and Information for Jobseekers will come to Portumna on Fri 24th Oct. It will deal with CV preparation interview skills, etc. See www.grd.ie for details.

Halloween Fancy Dress
There will be a Holloween Fancy Dress in Hayes Pub on Friday 31 October. Best costume wins a night away for two plus dinner in Westport Plaza Hotel.

Me-Time - Art/Creativity as Therapy
Embark on a journey of me-time, self-exploration and discovery by using art making as therapy. These 3 workshops are designed to give you a taste and introduce you to art/creativity as therapy. It is believed that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps one to develop self-awareness, gain insight, reduce stress and increase self- esteem.

Art skills are not essential for the participants. The sessions include mindfulness, experiential art making exercises and group/ individual reflection facilitated by Artist, Art Therapist and Educator, Sheila Richardson.